Method, apparatus, and computer program product for gatekeeper streaming

Abstract

A conferencing Gatekeeper configured to be adjusted so as to forward a conferencing media stream to be recorded to an appropriate streaming / archiving server, or alternatively to have streaming and archiving modules incorporated. Further, a method and computer program product for archiving or streaming media data between a plurality of endpoints through said gatekeeper.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention is related to archiving, streaming video conferencing and web conferencing systems. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are related to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for archiving or streaming media data between a plurality of endpoints through a gatekeeper.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A number of technological systems can be used to have a meeting among participants not located in the same area.[0003]The most realistic substitute of real meetings is high-end conventional video conferencing systems. Conventional video conferencing systems comprise a number of end-points communicating real-time video, audio and / or data streams over WAN, LAN and / or circuit switched networks. The end-points include one or more monitor(s), camera(s), microphone(s) and / or data capture device(s), and a codec, which encodes and decodes outgoing and incoming streams, respectively. In addition, a centralized source, know...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method and a gatekeeper for archiving or streaming media data in a H.323 or SIP call between multiple endpoints. The method involves instructing the gatekeeper to operate in a routed media mode and generating copies of media data from each endpoint. The gatekeeper registers at least one endpoint and a media data distributing module copies media data from each endpoint in the call. This allows for efficient distribution of media data in a call and reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with prior art is that they are typically able to record only a mix of the audio, but not video from both parties separately.

This is not an optimal recording, since the resolution of the picture-in-picture window is less than the actual resolution.

The lower resolution of the picture-in-picture makes it difficult to view details, and the picture-in-picture will overlay part of the large image and hide information.

The problem here is that video is recorded in a “half duplex” mode, i.e. you cannot see both parties at the same time.

This means that non-auditory information may be lost.

Also, consider the case where you have deaf people using sign language—voice-switching clearly does not work for this mode of operation.

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